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Tympani 1Ds -- factory refurb. or replace with newer 3s?

199.166.15.229
Posted on October 28, 2009 at 10:04:27
NJcdn
Audiophile

Posts: 2
Location: Northeast
Joined: October 28, 2009
 I have an early version of the Tympani 1D (screw terminals not bananas) which has been in storage for 20 years (that I could have actually owned anything for 20 years freaks me out a little...).

I (finally -- condo living) again have a room (almost) big enough for them -- 31x17x10(h). So it's time to consider a factory refurb.

So here is the question: do I drop the $1500 (incl. shipping) that the refurb. will cost, or instead look for a well-cared-for set of 3.5s or 3.6s? (perhaps with the idea of eventually using the T1Ds as woofers only...)

I spoke to Wendell at Magnepan who said that if the speakers are working (I think they are, but I'll only know once I test them this weekend -- a problem as the hinges, jumpers, feet and covers have disappeared over the two decades of moves -- the covers were lost to a moth infestation in my father's basement 15 years ago!), then there is no point in sending them in. But this does not seem to jive with the very positive comments that I have read here and elsewhere of the refurb. work that Magnepan has done on these older models. I know that the factory will not improve/customize them (I asked already) but I would expect new drivers, wiring, etc. -- essentially a new speaker on the old frames...

Usage is both HT and 2ch. The HT set-up will include MC1s as dual-centers and rear ch. Amplification is Classe (CA400 for front with DR25 and DR10 for center/rear; I will eventually pick-up a fourth piece for biamping). Front end is VPI/Grado/Grado with a Bryston BP1.5 phono and SP1.7 pre/pro.

Space is a concern because the room is a LR/DR and the speakers will be on one of the short walls. A projection screen (acoustically transparent), when in use, will drop down in front of the bass panels -- I would have to separate the T1D tweeters (a la TIVa) to allow for enough physical separation to use the MC1s as centers in this room. 3.5s/3.6s would fit (just) on either side of the the screen when used for HT.

To satisfy my wife (who is very tolerant and does appreciate the system -- she heard planars for the first time last month (3.6s at Lyric in NYC) and immediately said "go ahead and order them") I will need to move/fold the panels when not in use -- small casters should work (perhaps with Mye stands -- I'm still trying to figure out the logistics here). Heretical I suppose (and I know about placement sensitivity -- my wife suggested discreet little floor markers to denote the ideal positions) but it will have to do for now...

The room is spare -- not a lot of furniture, and has lots of windows (condo) with blinds only (no drapes), a concrete ceiling and wood-over-concrete floors. Very live -- reflections will be an ongoing problem. Which makes me wonder whether the old planar tweeters in the T1Ds might work better in the space than the ribbons in the 3.5/3.6... Fortunately the place is rented, so we won't be there too long but also are not inclined the make significant changes to the room.

Thx in advance for the advice!
RE: Tympani 1Ds -- factory refurb. or replace with newer 3s?, posted on October 31, 2009 at 12:46:45
monk1
 It seems you've done your homework. The only thing I would add is that it will be difficult to detach the mid/tweeter panel from the 1D's woofer panel without some major modifications to the speaker's wiring configuration. Unlike the T-IVa, the T-1D's panels are not designed to detach from one another.

RE: Tympani 1Ds -- factory refurb. or replace with newer 3s?, posted on November 2, 2009 at 18:49:32
monk1
 Yes it's possible snip the wire between the tweeter to middle woofer panel and splice in an extension cable. Of course, the hinges would have to be removed along with adding a new set of mounting feet to the tweeter panel so they can stand up on their own. I think as the lateral separation distance between the woofer and tweeter panels is increased, a significant degree driver cohesion would be lost. Front to back separation should be less critical if you're in a very narrow room, which you were. I'm somewhat surprised you had to detach the panels since the 1D should be okay in a 12' wide room according to the setup manual. Did you get get better results with the panels detached as opposed to the stock configuration?

RE: Tympani 1Ds -- factory refurb. or replace with newer 3s?, posted on November 2, 2009 at 06:26:37
NJcdn
Audiophile

Posts: 2
Location: Northeast
Joined: October 28, 2009
 The panels can be separated and connected using a longer cable than the 3-inch ones that come with the unit (at least that is the case on my early-version unit). A experimented with this (by using a 5' speaker cable to connect the tweeter and center mid/woofer panel) when I first purchased the panels 20 years ago... back then I was a student and had lots of time for this kind of thing -- the room was only 12' wide (30' long) and so separating the panels made it easier to fit them into the space.

Of course it is not pretty but it does work. The key is to ensure a strong connection; ideally some kind of locking mechanism would be ideal (which of course would require some wiring mods).

RE: Tympani 1Ds -- factory refurb. or replace with newer 3s?, posted on October 29, 2009 at 03:12:39
benie
Audiophile

Posts: 1050
Location: B.C. Canada
Joined: October 24, 2004
 Check out the Asylum Classifieds, there is a set of Tympani 1D in there for $700 and they were rebuilt at one time. Buy them and keep yours for parts or use the extra Bass panels.

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